Vikings add anchor to o-line, select Kalil

Ponder will now have a solid LT to protect his backside. Photo by: Rich Gabrielson/Icon SMI

The Minnesota Vikings didn’t make the sexiest pick, but they added an additional 4th, 5th and 7th rounder and still got the player they wanted. Knowing that the Browns wanted Richardson, they forced them to trade up for the pick or else they may have traded down with the Buccaneers, who were also interested in trading with the Vikings to select Richardson. But to avoid writing about who the Vikings didn’t want, nor need, let’s praise them for making a smart selection by drafting their LT for the next decade, Matt Kalil.

Kalil will instantly be the Vikings starting LT, protecting Ponders blindside, and hopefully helping a healthy and fully recovered Adrian Peterson run downfield. It’s never all that exciting to draft an offensive lineman, but the Vikings made the smart and best possible pick that they could make.